Imagine the panic that swept through Dragons fans when a video surfaced on social media showing Valentine Holmes clutching his hamstring. Could their star centre be sidelined for the season opener? But here's the real story: Holmes is fit and ready to take the field in Round 1 against the Canterbury Bulldogs in Las Vegas.
The drama began on Thursday morning when a short clip appeared online, sparking fears of a serious injury. Fans, already on edge, worried about a potential long-term absence, especially since Holmes wasn’t named for the final pre-season game against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. However, Zero Tackle has confirmed with the club that the video was actually from an older post, and Holmes has fully recovered from his hamstring injury, which occurred in early January.
And this is the part most people miss: the Dragons made a strategic decision to rest Holmes this weekend, prioritizing his long-term health over a pre-season match. In a statement, the club clarified, “Valentine Holmes has recovered from a hamstring injury… He was available for selection but will not play this weekend. He will be ready for the Round 1 opener in Las Vegas.”
But here’s where it gets controversial: Was resting Holmes the right call, or should he have been given game time to build match fitness? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Meanwhile, other players are still on the mend. Jacob Liddle is recovering from a hamstring injury but will miss the season opener, while Dylan Egan is targeting a return between Rounds 8 and 10 as he recovers from an ACL injury. Former rugby union player Nathan Lawson is also making progress, expected to be fit by Round 4 after a foot injury.
Holmes, one of the Dragons’ most experienced players, will be pivotal for Shane Flanagan’s side in 2026 as they aim to climb out of the bottom of the table. Last season, injuries plagued the team, leading to a bottom-four finish despite impressive wins against three of the top four teams and narrow losses in six other games.
As for the lineup, Holmes is a lock at centre, alongside Moses Suli. The wing positions, however, are up for grabs, with new recruits David Fale and Setu Tu competing against Christian Tuipulotu and Tyrell Sloan. Clint Gutherson will once again start at fullback.
The Dragons kick off their season on Sunday, March 1 (Australian time) against the Canterbury Bulldogs in Las Vegas, before returning to Australian soil on March 14 to face the Melbourne Storm in Wollongong.
Thought-provoking question: With Holmes back in action, can the Dragons turn their fortunes around this season? Share your predictions below!
